News

Alien Map Found in Elite: Dangerous Probe

Pilots have located an alien map hidden inside an Elite: Dangerous probe, causing a wave of curiosity and theory-making.

The alien probe was discovered by a pilot known on the forums as rizal72, who posted a video of the initial contact with the probe. After being “honked at” or scanned with a Discovery Scanner, the probe woke up, discharging and EMP that temporarily shut down the pilot’s ship before transmitting a signal. After another pilot ran the signal through a spectral analysis, a very distinct image appeared as shown below.

Players of Elite: Dangerous are scrambling to sort out what the image is, though many agree that it appears to be a map of some sort. Where the map leads has been the subject of a great deal of conversation, with some stating that it points to an area that players are unable to fly to in the center of the galaxy and others stating that it’s an old map of the moon Merope 5c, which has already been found to lack any trace of an alien presence beyond the benign alien structures known as “barnacles”.

The alien probe is just the newest of several discoveries that have been found pointing to the potential for a return of the Thargoids, the violent alien species featured in past games of the Elite series.

Our Thoughts

If this is the lead-up to a new expansion, then Frontier are doing an outstanding job of keeping its playerbase engaged. If more probes of this kind happen to be found by pilots in Elite: Dangerous, then we could indeed see the return of the Thargoids.

Your Thoughts

What do you think about this new discovery? Do you think that the Thargoids are returning, or do you think it’s a red herring? Give us your thoughts below.

About Chris Hughes

Chris is a literal wolf who has managed to learn how to use a computer. He enjoys cooking, roleplaying, writing, and reading those who do the same. You can find him staring at Twitter or read more of his attempt at humor at his blog, or in-game primarily on WildStar, Blade and Soul or Final Fantasy XIV.